Beijing decries ‘mistakes’ after US adds 37 more Chinese entities to blacklist

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Beijing on Friday decried the US move to add more Chinese companies to Washington's list of entities subject to trade restrictions, state media reported.

“China always stands firmly opposed to the US' abusing of export control tools, including the entity list to crack down on Chinese companies,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

“The normal trade and economic cooperation between China and Russia should not be subjected to interruption and curbs of a third party,” Lin said.

Washington on Thursday hit Beijing through trade restrictions on 37 Chinese entities, including those allegedly supporting the Chinese spy balloon that flew over the US last year.

The US has also targeted Chinese companies for allegedly “trying to obtain American items for making drones to be used by the Chinese military and others for shipping controlled items to Russia.”

On possible additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles among other exports, Lin called such US actions a “violation” of international trade practices.

“The actions are adding mistakes to mistakes," he said.

Lin was reacting to reports that the US would impose further tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and other green exports the following week.

He said such actions were already ruled as violating World Trade Organization rules.

“The US abuse of the so-called review process is a continuation of politicizing trade and economic matters,” said the ministry spokesman.